

2024.08.08 Hyundai Motorsport Team
Hyundai Motor Company achieved consecutive new records at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, USA. The IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 5 N TA Spec set new benchmarks in the unmodified and modified production electric SUV categories, surpassing even the records held by production electric sedans. This achievement underscores the superior completeness of the IONIQ 5 N in one of the most demanding races. It is particularly meaningful, because the record was set with the same cars offered to customers.
Since its inception in 1916, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the second oldest motorsport event in the U.S., has been a race up the Rocky Mountains' Pikes Peak, often referred to as the "Race to the Clouds." Starting at an elevation higher than Mount Baekdu at 2,862 meters above sea level, the race concludes at 4,302 meters, with a total length of 19.99 kilometers and 156 corners.
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is renowned for its demanding nature, requiring a high degree of overall automotive performance. Only powerful engines would do on the steep mountain roads, while the narrow corners demand exceptional cornering performance. Durability and stability are crucial to setting records, given the extreme performance demands. Thus, the IONIQ 5 N’s new record is particularly valuable, demonstrating not only its performance but also its high level of perfection.
Hyundai’s history and its aspirations are deeply intertwined with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The automaker’s journey began with the desire to showcase the excellence of its vehicles in the United States. In 1992, Rod Millen drove a Scoupe Turbo equipped with Hyundai’s first independently developed Alpha engine, winning the unmodified 2WD production car category, marking 13 minutes 21.17 seconds. This victory showed the beginning of Hyundai’s continued participation with various models such as Elantra, Tiburon, and Genesis Coupe.
For instance, in 1993, Rod Millen drove an Elantra to second place in the Open category with a time of 11 minutes 57.34 seconds. In 1997, Paul Choiniere won the Open category in a Tiburon with a time of 11 minutes 56.79 seconds. In 2009, Rod Millen’s son, Rhys Millen, set a new record in the 2WD Time Attack class with a Genesis Coupe, creating a memorable father-son victory moment for Hyundai. Rhys Millen also secured second place in the Unlimited class in 2013 with a race car based on the Genesis Coupe engine, clocking in at 9 minutes 2.192 seconds.
It is worth noting that the Pikes Peak Hill Climb course used to be a mix of paved and unpaved roads, adding to its extreme difficulty. Vehicles occasionally fell off cliffs during the race. Despite these challenges, Hyundai continued its efforts to develop better cars. In 2012, when the course was fully paved, Hyundai set a course record of 9 minutes 46.164 seconds with the Genesis Coupe, achieving an extraordinary milestone that would not have been possible without consistent dedication and challenge.
The new record set by the IONIQ 5 N at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb wasn't achieved overnight. It is the culmination of dreams and challenges. In the introduction video for the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec, created specifically for Pikes Peak, Hyundai showcased past models that participated in this historic race, highlighting their commitment to continuing this legacy of challenge. This underscores why there was such anticipation about the results that the IONIQ 5 N, considered the most powerful Hyundai to date, would achieve.
Hyundai participated in two categories at this year’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb: the unmodified and modified production electric SUV categories. The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec, which competed in the modified category, is an enhanced version of the eN1 Cup Car used in the Hyundai N Festival. The eN1 Cup Car is a modified version of the IONIQ 5 N, with all seats and interior components removed except for the driver’s seat, and equipped with race-specific parts such as tires, suspension, brakes, wheels, and aero parts. Building on this eN1 Cup Car, the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec was further optimized for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with enhanced aerodynamics, suspension, and software development. Hyundai’s Driving Experience & Motorsport Team explains:
"The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec is equipped with a large front lip spoiler and rear wing to generate significant downforce (the force exerted by air pushing the vehicle down during driving). Increased downforce improves tire grip, allowing faster cornering and better grip on uneven surfaces. The road surface at Pikes Peak is rougher than on circuits, so we also retuned the suspension accordingly."
"Near the summit of Pikes Peak, the air density is only about 60% of sea level. Achieving downforce in such conditions requires large aero parts like those on the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec. This is also crucial for driver safety, given the cliffside roads with no guardrails, making vehicle handling extremely important. Additionally, electric cars generally have better output than internal combustion cars but are heavier. To overcome this and improve cornering speed, strong downforce is essential."
"Of course, the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec also boasts higher peak output. While the standard IONIQ 5 N produces 609 horsepower, which can increase to 650 horsepower for 10 seconds using N Grin Boost (NGB), the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec consistently delivers 687 horsepower. This output increase is not due to changes in the drivetrain but is achieved through software modifications while using the same Power Electric (PE) system as the production model. This proves the durability of the same PE system under harsher race conditions. For electric vehicles, thermal management to keep the battery temperature within an optimal range is critical, even during races."
Winning a race requires not only a good car but also a sound strategy. Hyundai fully utilized the characteristics of electric vehicles. For example, at higher altitudes near Pikes Peak's summit, the lower air density reduces engine output in internal combustion cars. While electric cars are unaffected by this, their greater weight poses a challenge that needs a precise strategy to overcome. The Hyundai Driving Experience & Motorsport Team elaborates:
"For a decisive performance in the roughly 10-minute race, we thoroughly analyzed the course and optimized various vehicle control logics, including power output, cooling, front-rear power distribution, regenerative braking control, and ABS. We also applied custom controls tailored to the driver's preferences and prepared the race car by evaluating which temperature range yields the best performance for starting."
Despite being a debut entry, the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec, driven by Hyundai WRC driver Dani Sordo, successfully finished with a time of 9 minutes and 30.852 seconds, significantly beating the previous modified production electric SUV record of 9 minutes and 54.901 seconds. This achievement earned the vehicle first place in its category and third overall. Additionally, the unmodified IONIQ 5 N finished with a time of 10 minutes and 49.267 seconds, surpassing the previous unmodified production electric SUV record of 11 minutes and 2.801 seconds.
Hyundai's performance at this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb demonstrated that high-performance electric vehicles could excel in motorsports. It also showcased that high-performance EVs could continue to offer the thrill of driving.
For instance, Pikes Peak Hill Climb has a unique rule requiring both internal combustion and electric vehicles to produce sounds exceeding 120dB. While internal combustion vehicles can utilize their exhaust sounds, electric vehicles have typically used siren-like devices. However, the IONIQ 5 N used its 'N Active Sound+' to produce a robust sound, ascending the hill with a roar distinct from typical EVs. The Hyundai Driving Experience & Motorsport Team explains:
"Weight reduction is crucial in motorsports. However, we believed that silent EVs would lack spectator appeal. So, even when developing the eN1 Cup Car, we added external speakers despite the additional weight, to enhance spectator experience. We saw the 120dB sound requirement at Pikes Peak as an opportunity to highlight N Active Sound+. We installed external speakers between the radiator and hood to emit a powerful virtual engine sound. Both drivers and spectators appreciated it, as it provided important auditory information about vehicle acceleration and speed without the annoying siren sounds. The positive feedback was very gratifying."
Hyundai's participation in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb is part of their ongoing challenge to create better cars. Hyundai demonstrates vehicle excellence under extreme conditions through motorsports. All participating IONIQ 5 N models used the same batteries, motors, and cooling systems as the production models, proving their durability.
Hyundai leverages the knowledge gained from motorsports to develop better technologies, apply them to production cars, and continuously validate and refine these advancements. This iterative process, combined with close collaboration between the Namyang R&D Center, Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI), and the N Brand division, ensures that Hyundai consistently produces high-performance, durable vehicles that satisfy customers. Despite the challenges, this approach has enabled Hyundai to create vehicles with exceptional performance and durability. Now, Hyundai is preparing for the next challenge with the IONIQ 5 N. Many eagerly await the exciting news and continue to support Hyundai's ongoing efforts.
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